The Story of My Experiments with Truth · Chapter
My Helplessness explained
Gandhi describes his initial struggles and lack of confidence upon returning to India to practice law, feeling unprepared despite his studies in England.
What happens
Gandhi describes his initial struggles and lack of confidence upon returning to India to practice law, feeling unprepared despite his studies in England. He seeks advice from friends and meets Mr. Frederick Pincutt, who reassures him that ordinary honesty and industry are sufficient for a legal career, though Gandhi remains anxious about his knowledge of Indian law and human nature.
Themes in this chapter
Education and Self-Improvement
Gandhi's struggle to apply his legal education and his efforts to gain practical knowledge through reading and advice.
Self-Discipline and Simplicity
Gandhi's humility and reluctance to trouble great men like Dadabhai Naoroji, reflecting his disciplined approach.
Characters to notice
- Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
The narrator, feeling helpless and anxious about his legal career.
- Dadabhai Naoroji
A great man Gandhi hesitates to approach for advice despite having a letter of introduction.
- Sir Pherozeshah Mehta
Mentioned as a lion in law courts, setting a high standard that Gandhi feels unable to match.
- Mr. Frederick Pincutt
A Conservative friend who advises Gandhi on legal practice and recommends books on physiognomy and Indian history.
Key passages
“It was easy to be called, but it was difficult to practise at the bar. I had read the laws, but not learnt how to practise law.”
Being admitted to the bar was simple, but actually practicing law proved challenging; I had studied legal principles but lacked practical application skills.
Gandhi expresses the gap between theoretical legal knowledge and practical courtroom experience.
“Do you think that everyone must be a Pherozeshah Mehta? Pherozeshahs and Badruddins are rare. Rest assured it takes no unusual skill to be an ordinary lawyer. Common honesty and industry are enough to enable him to make a living.”
Mr. Pincutt reassures Gandhi that exceptional legal talent like Pherozeshah Mehta's is rare, and that ordinary lawyers can succeed with basic honesty and hard work.
Advice that alleviates Gandhi's anxiety about his legal career.